The tragic disaster in Haiti brings a sobering clarity to the course of this “discussion.” It takes me back to Pingtung county and the aftermath of typhoon Morakot to the lessons I learned there but have not discussed until now; lessons I personally need to put into action.

As I was wandering around in calf deep mud, garbage and shit, hauling away people’s ruined furniture and spoiled food I couldn’t stop marveling at how poorly prepared these people were. Taiwan is an industrialized nation with high literacy rates, a functional, if unimaginative, school system and excellent healthcare and yet this relatively minor disaster caused tremendous damage.

There was garbage and other waste everywhere after the typhoon for the simple reason that there had been garbage and other waste everywhere before the typhoon. An effective system applying the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle would have reduced the clean up workload by at least a fifth. It would have also made the pre and post typhoon environment much healthier and more pleasant to live in as well.

Proper drainage systems and enlightened water treatment systems would also have made a massive difference. I wish we could all flush with the pride that Arcata residents do. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,957256,00.html

If we accept that an unprepared home / community is not a good thing in daily life or in the event of a disaster the next thing is to consider what a prepared home looks like. Obviously the kind of green home that produces power and sells it back to the grid is ideal. You can read about that kind of home here http://www.dreamgreenhomes.com/index.htm. With this as an ultimate goal I think it’s useful to think about a few things that are more immediately possible for most folks.

The ten steps mentioned here are fairly tame but they’re still good ideas. [ http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13107876 ]

Beyond these steps I would add the following:

-Having adequate bedding and bedclothes for everyone in the house to be able to sleep safely and comfortably at or below the lowest average annual temperature for your location.

-Having two sources of heat, and ideally two sources of electricity as well especially sources that aren’t part of a power grid that one has no control over.

-Having a cellar or cold storage that doesn’t require electricity to function. Also a clean dry storage area to be stocked with rope, tarps and building materials in case of a need to repair the home.

-Having an up to date set of medical reference books and a good DIY reference library in general. Of course a good first aid kit and basic tool set go hand in hand with the reference library.

-Readily available flashlights, candles and at least one kerosene lantern.

-Having as little excess as possible, especially anything in the way of unused collections (basketball cards, stamps, this sort of thing). As a rule collections should be limited to books often read, CDs often listened too and personal photos. The fewer appliances the better as they only increase one’s dependency on the grid.

I know I’m a long way from being able to make most of these things a reality so I’m personally starting by simplifying and giving away or recycling everything that I can. I am very conscious of the excess in my life here as well as the valuable but burdensome items I have in my Mom and Aunt’s homes in America.

I share these thoughts with love in my heart and long underwear on under my polar fleece pants… my heart and prayers go out to the people of Haiti. One love.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8460771.stm

The following links are all well worth reading and acting on where appropriate.

Fire safety.

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=72c51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD

Burglary deterrents.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2securehome

http://www.howtoadvice.com/HomeSecurity/